Mac,

If you want to save money get the shimano. They're fairly light weight and well built but are kind of soft compared to the high modulus rods like Rainshadow makes.

All Stars are good quality rods and kind of cheap too.

Lamiglas are over priced but good quality.

In my opinion the higher modulus G Loomis are over priced and have suffered in quality due to mass production and the lifetime warranty has now been replaced with a $50.00 per shot replacement fee.

The best rods today are custom made from locally produced rainshadow blanks which are reasonably priced. The 1263 blank is probably best for summer run steelhead and silvers but for winter steelhead, chum and kings the 1264 has more backbone.

As Jerry mentioned Travis at TH Custom Rods manufactures from Rainshadow blanks. Another reasonably priced source of quality custom rods and blanks from Rainshadow is Bruce at Northwest Custom Rods .

I'll be picking up a custom designed 1264 with my name painted right on the blank under the epoxy finish (better than a serial number) on Wednesday. Can hardly wait to try it.